Stamp-affixing and envelop-sealing machine.



F. R. S. DITMARS. STAMP APFIXING AND ENVBLOP SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1912.

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2 w W 7 6 0 nf. s mmf l mb mm, wwwvw Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

Z SHEETS-SHEET l.

.-.MBIA PLANOGRAPH Co.. WASHINn'roN, D. c.

F. R. S. DITMARS.

STAMP APPIXING AND ENVELOP SBALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1912.

1,9?2585, Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

v 2 SHEETS-SHBBT 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0..WAsHlNaToN. D. C.

FREDERICK IR. S. DITIVIARS,

or 'KANSAS CITY.,'K1vIIssoUItI.

STAMP-armature AND niNvELoP-SEALING MACHINE.

To all w/wmz' may concern.' Y f Be it known that I, FREDERICK R. S. Drr- MARs, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at KansasCity, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Afxing and Envelop- Sealing Machines; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will n enable others to make and use the same,"refv erence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.y The invention relates to thevclass of ma# chines yin which the operations of feeding and moistening the envelope, afIiXing thev stamps to the envelops and-sealing 'the envelops, are successively performed, and'is an improvement upon the stamp afliXing and envelop sealing machine for which Letters Patent were granted to me on the-22nd day of august, 1911, No. 1001001. 1

The objects of the present invention are first, to dispense with the vreciproeating` stamp supporting and feeding :carriage and obtain the successive operative movements of feeding the stamps and affiXing the stamps to the envelops in a simplified, novel manner. Second, to proportion the feeding `movement of a stamp feeder to stamps or labels separable into different lengths. Third, to contract the length of stroke of thereciprocat-` ing bar actuating the stamp feeder. Fourth, to govern the rotating movements of the main driving shaft automatically during the intervalof time in which thefeeding of the envelops to the stamp aflixing device has ceased. Fifth, to afford a positive'feeding movement to the stamp feeder. x Y

rEhe invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts such as will be first fully described and then specilically point-ed out in the claims.

`In the draWinga'Figure 1, is a plan view of an envelop moistening and sealing and stamp feeding and aflixing machine embodying the invention. sectional view of the machine taken on the linea. on Fig. 1. Fig. 3, isa view in elevation of a broken portion of the side of the machine upon the ri ght-hand side and at its'forward end, showing the main driving shaft and gear wheels,.the envelop sealing rollers, the rotary shaft actuating the stamp feeder and aiiiaer` and the mechanism for Specification of'Letters Patent.

Fig. 2, is a longitudinal, vertical Y Patented Sept.9,1913.`

Application filed J une k5; i912. Serial N o. 7'1,759.

ycontrolling the movement of thelatter devices, when the specified number of envelops .have been stamped. Fig. 4L, is a detail, verltical sectional view of the machine taken on the line y. y. on Fig. 1, showing the stamp vseparating and afliXing device and its posi- Ition in dotted lines at the limit of its uplward movement. Fig. 5, is a detail broken view of the T Vbar connecting the rear ends of the sides of the-machine supporting lthe crank shaft. Fig. 6, is a brokenside view indetail of the depressed portion of the transverse bar supporting the forward ends of the slatsk forming the'bed of the machine 1 and connected with the left vhand side of the machine, showing a part end view of the "stamp separatorandaiiixer and the stamp suppOrtingplate. Fig. 7, is a detail side vview of the clutch on the shaft o-perating the stamp feeding and .afrixing devices, a portion ofthe 'side Vbeing broken away to show the coiled spring. Fig. 8, is a vertical, sectional view of the gear wheel and .clutch on the rotary shaft actuating' the'y stamp feeding and aHiXi'ng devices, taken onv 'the line e. c. on Fig. 1. p Fig. 9, is a detail broken view of the vertically positioned vrstamp supporting plate connected with the 'sides of the machine in rear of the rotary shaft-actuating the stamp feeding and affixing devices, the view being from therear side of said plate, and upon the line a, c on Fig. 1,the flange on said plate being broken away. view of theouter end of the reciprocating bar to the stampfeeder.

VSimilar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings. Y Y

rEhe frame of the machine as seen in the drawings to which referenceis made, is rec- :sov

9a, is a detail vertical sectional i tangular inform and consists of the verti-l cal side plates' 10, 101, which are narrow in l f `width and of the requisite length to support in successive order the envelop feeding, the stampfeeding and aliiXing, and the envelop sealing mechanism) The sides 10 101.4are supported by the legs 12 and 14 arranged at short distances inwardly from the respective forward and rear ends of the said sides and are formedintegral therewith. Y

The sides 10 101 of the frame are vspaced apart a considerable distance toprovide for the stamping of the various sizesk of comniercial envelops, and are connected rigidly together by means of the transverse forward and rear channel and I angle beams, 15 and 16 respectively. The ends of the'forward channel beam 15, are connected by means of the screws 17, with the inner surfaces of the downward extensions 18 of the lower portions of the sides 10 101 of the frame, which extensions form an integral part of the rear portions of the legs 12, supporting the machine. The rear T angle beam is connected at its ends with the inner surfaces and upper portions of the rear legs 14, upon a line approximately horizontal with the forward transversefbeam 15.

Portions 19, of the forward end of the side 10 101 of the frame of the machine, are extended upwardly a distance considerably in excess of the width of said sides, and in said upward extensions is joined in a Vtransverse direction to the machine the ends of a rotary shaft- 20, actuating the stamp feeder and affixer, the position of the ends of which shaft. are approximately in 'vertical lines with the forward surfacesA of the legs 12. One end of the shaft 20 extends through the unward extension 19, on the left hand side of the machine and a'short distance outwardly from the line of the outer surface of saidk extension, and upon said end of the shaft is a large gear wheel 21, which is loosely mounted on said shaft. Extending forwardly and horizontally Afrom the portions 19, ofthe sides of the frame are the brackets 23, having vertical U shaped sockets 24, which are slightly below a line horizontal y with the shaft 20.` i

Immediately below the brackets 23, are the forwardly extended brackets 25, which are also an integral part ofthe sides 10101, of the machine. 1n the brackets 25, is

journaled upon a line horizontal with the j hand side of the machine extending a short distance beyond the line of the outer surface of said bracket and upon said journal is a small gear wheel 28. 1n the U yshaped sockets 24, on the brackets 23 is journaled a a gravity envelop sealing roller 29, which bears normally upon and is in contact with the surface of the envelop sealing roller 26,

kthese sealing `rollers being the same as now employed by me for sealing the envelops and require no further description.

The bed or table over which the envelops are moved in the direction of the sealing rollers consists of a series of longitudinally extending slats 30, arranged between the sides 10 101, at equal distances apart and extending at its forward ends from a position directly above the inner portions of the feed roller 26, and in a horizontal line with the principal portion of said roller, rearwardly to a position adjacent the rear end portions of said sides 10 101, of the machine.

The forward ends of the slats 30, are secured rigidly by screws 31, to the upper surface of a transverse supporting barV 32, secured at its ends by screws 33, to the inner surfaces of the forward portions of the sides 10 101, immediately in rear of the forward ends of slats 30. The rear ends of slats 30,

i extend rearwardly to andare secured by the screws 36, to the upper surface of the transverse bar 35, which bar is secured at its ends to the inner surfaces of the sides 10 101 at points on said sides approximately twothirds the distance from the lines of the forward to the lines of the rear ends of said sides.

A portion of the bar 32, supporting the forward ends of the slats or bars 30, at a point'a short distance inwardly from the line ofy the inner surface of the side 10 of the Vmachine is bent at right angles at 37, and extended downward a short distance thence i plained. The forward end of the longitudinal Slat or barSO, adjacent the side 10,

of the machine is made of increased width as at 311,1(see Fig. 6) and extended to a position above the depressed portion 39 of bar 32.

Y With the lower portion of the depressed portion 59, of the bar 32, is connected a casting 41, through which and the portion 39 of bar 32 extendsan opening 42.

'43 indicates a sliding bolt within the perforation 42, and connected at its upper end with theV lower surface of the portion 31, of theslat30. Upon the lower end of the bolt is a head 44, bearing upon the lower surface ofthe casting. Extending around the bolt is a spiral spring 45, which bears upon the upper surface of the casting at its lower end, its upper end supporting yieldingly the forward end portion 311, of theslat 80, upon kwhich the portion of the envelop-to which the stamp is aiixed is supported. Immediately in rear of the transverse bar 35, supporting the rear ends of the slats or bars 30, is a water receptacle or trough 46, which extends from the inner surface of the side 10 to the inner surface of the side 101, of the machineg'the ends of the trough being connected ri idly with said sides, the upper edges of tghe trough being upon a line horizontally with the upper surface of the bar 35. 1n the trough 46, is a moistening roller 47 extending the lengthVV of the trough, the ends of the roller 47, being j ournaled in the respective ends of the troughl Extending around the surface of the roller which is circular in cross. section, is acovering 48, of suitable absorbent material which absorbs sucient water in the trough to keep it in a moistened condition. Upon the side plate 101 of the machine, ata point forward of the position of the receptacle 46, and appro-ximately intermediate the ends of said side plate 101, is an upward extension of said plate constituting a standard 49, with the outer portion of which is connected rigidly a water supply tank 50. With the lower end of thistank is connected one endof a water conducting pipe 51, the other end of which pipe extends to a position adjacent to the water receptacle 46, and is bent at rightangles and yextended within the receptacle through the adjacent end as seen in Fig. 1.

In the pipe 51, is a cut-off valve 52.

53 indicates the moistening device for the surface of the envelops upon which the stamp is to be affixed and consists as seen of a frame, rectangular in form and open at both ends and in which is placed a sponge 54. The frame is located a slight distance above the upper surface of the slat 30, adjacent the side plate 10 of the machine and having the portion 31, and intermediate vertical lines passing through the forward end of said portionl, and the rear end of the slat 30, with which it is integral. The frame is supported by a bracket 55, secured to the upper surface of the side Vplate 10. A liquid supply pipe 56, is connected at one end with the lower portion of the tank 50, and the other end extended to a position above the sponge 54. In the pipe 56, is a fluid regulating valve 57.

Upon the inner surface ofthe side plates` extends from the line of the rear surface of the ends of the water receptacle 46, to the line of the rear ends of the side plates 10,101.

The forward movement to the envelops in track plates 581. With theseV transverse slats i the lines of the rear ends of sides 10 101, forwardly to a point about three-fourths the dist-ance'to the line of the forward end of vthe machine; the transverse bar 62, ap-

proaching to wit-hin a short distance of the transverse bar 35, at the limit of rearward movement of the frame 60. Upon the upper surface of bar 62, are feedblocks 66, the upper surfaces of which are rearwardly inclined and with which the unsealed naps of Ithe envelops come first into contact. These blocks are placed in position adjacent the llongitudinal surfaces of the stationary slats f30. Upon the upper surface of the translverse bar 61, of frame 60, are feed blocks 67, .which are inline in the longitudinal direction of the machine with the feed blocks 66, `and the uppersurfaces of the blocks 67 are rearwardly inclined in a slightly less degree.

lTot-he upper surface and rear ends ofthe -bars 64 are connected the ends of a transverse envelop supporting plate 65, the forward end of which plate is curved upwardly iat 65X in a slight degree so yas to engage with the sealing flaps of the envelops. Upon the Vlower surface of said portion65, is a pad of absorbent material 65, which comes into contact with the moisteningV surface of the roller 47. Uponthe left hand side of the machine and upon the side plate 101, in a line transverseto the standard 67, supportingthe tank 50 'is a standard 68,*integral with the side plate 101.

With the innersurfaces and upperk end portions of the standards 49 and 68, are connected the respective ends of a transverseV bar 69, which ends are bent at right angles at 70, and connected rigidly with said standards.A In the said bent portions'70, of the bar 69, are j'ournaled the ends ofa rock shaft 71, upon which shaft arey secured by the screws 72, the sleeves 73, with which sleeves are connected one end of the finger bars 74,"the lower ends of which linger bars extend forwardly and downwardly atan -vangle to the bars or slats 30, forming the .of .the transverse bar 69, and the other end ico extended forwardly and bent at right angles at 7S, and extended through the finger bar 4, at a point between the ends of said finger Directly beneath the lower surface of the transverse bar 69, isa roller 79, the ends of which are journaled on the respective standards, 49 and 68, between which roller and the upper surface of the slat30, is formed a space or throat through which the envelops first pass, guided by the roller 79. At a point on the side plates 10, 101, of the frame of the machine, approximately one-third the distance rearwardly from the upward extensions 19, of the side plates 10, 101, of the frame of the machine in the direction of the standards 49 and 68, are standards 80, extending in height, a short distance above the lines of the upper ends of said standards.V

In the upper end portions of the standards 80, are journaled the respective ends of a rock shaft 81, the end of which shaft, in the left hand side of the machine, is extended through the standard S0, upon said side 101, of the machine and vupon said end of the shaft is connected rigidly, a brake arm 82, the outer end of which arm extends downwardly to the line of the lower surface of said side plate 10. Upon the rock shaft 81, are a number of sleeves 83, secured fixedly to said shaft, with which sleeves are rigidly connected the upper ends of the finger bars S4, the lower ends of which bars extend forwardly and downwardly and bear upon the upper surfaces of the respective slats or bars 30, located inwardly from the slats or bars adjacent to the side plates 10 101.

With the innerl surfaces of the standards 80, at points a short distance downwardly from the lines of their upper ends, is Vconnected rigidly the respective ends of a transverse bar 85, the rear surfaces of the bar being upon a line with the rear vertical surfaces of the standards. Y

In the standards 80, immediately forward of the bar S5, is journaled a rock shaft 8G, upon which are a num-ber of sleeves 87, secured rigidly to said shaft in like manner as the sleeves 7 3, on shaft 71. Connected atL one end rigidly with the sleeves 87, are .fingers 88, extending` forwardly and downwardly and provided with pivots 89, upon kwhich are mounted the small rollers 89X,

shaft are journaled in the downward extension 18, of said sides in a vertical line with the forward legs 12, supporting the machine and a short distance forward and in a hori- -frame of the machine.

zontal plane with the channel beam 15, connected with the said portions 1-8, of the side plates 10 101. The end of shaft 90, on the i left hand side of the machine, extends through the side 101 of the frame of the 1nachine and upon said end is a large gear wheel 91, which meshes with the gear wheels 21 and 28. Upon said end of the shaft 90, is a crank arm 90". Upon the sha-ft 90 intermediate the ends is a bevel gear 91".

92 indicates a longitudinally extended rotary power shaft, its forward end being exten ded through the channel beam 15,in the direction of and a short distance from the shaft 90, upon which end of the shaft is a bevel gear wheel 93, which meshes with the bevel gear wheel 91X, on shaft 90. The rear end of the shaft 92, extends rearwardly to the rear transverse connect-ing I angle beam 16, to the side plates 10, 101, and upon which beam is a boss 94, in the inner side of which boss is an opening or seat 95, in which the rear end of shaft 92, is journaled. Upon said rear end of shaft 92, is a bevel gear wheel 96. Extending in a vertical direction through the I beam 16, and the boss 94, is a crank shaft 97, upon the lower end of which shaft adjacent the lower portion of boss 94, is secured a bevel gear wheel 98, which meshes with the bevel gear wheel 96, on

shaft 92. Upon the upper end of shaft 97, is a crank arm 99, of considerable length, with the outer end of which arm is pivotally connected at 100, the rear end of a rod or bar 101, the forward end of which bar extends forwardly in an upwardly inclined direction to and its extreme end is bent horizontally in position and pivotally connected at 102, with the lower surface of the forward transverse bar 61, of the reciprocating carriage frame 60.

With the rear portions of the upward extensions 19, of the side plates 10 101 at the forward end of the machine are rigidly connected the forwardly extended angular ends 103, of a transverse stamp supporting plate 104, which angular portions 103, are joined to a shoulder 105, fo-rmed on the inner surfaces of said plates 19. The lower portion of the stamp plate 104, extends downwardly to within a short distance above the line of the upper surfaces of the slats 30, and with kthe lower surface of which plate is connected the inner portion of a longitudinallyT extended stamp supporting plate 106, which is of a width slightly in excess of the width of a single stamp, and which plate extends from a position approximately to a vert-ical line extending through the inner portion of the slat 80, adjacent to the side plate 101, of the main frame of the machine, to a position in a vertical line with the inner edge of the broad portion 31, of the slat 30, which is adjacent the side plate 10, of the Upon the outer lon- Y, plate 106, is an upwardly extended stamp guiding flange 107. f.

108, indicates a stamp supporting roller spool/which 1s pivotally connected with the rear surfacerof the 'stampr` .plate 104, at a, point directly vabove the end portions of the plate 106, ad]ac`entthesideplate- 10, of the frame of the machine. Upon this spool is wound a narrow strip. of stamped vpaper 108x, of the desired length -and-having an adhesive substance upon one of its sides. This stamped paper is without the transT verse perforation common tothe lines of separation of a stamp for commercial uses, but may be perforated when desired and the separation made by the stamp afiixing plate for different lengths ofxstamps kor labels to which the invention is'particularly adapted, the strip being wound on the spool 108, with the adhesive side inward. Beneath the roller or spool 108, and positioned in the direction of the side 10 of the frame of the machine from a vertical line extending through the stamp roller'arethe guide rollers 109, and 110, -and in close contact with each other. Secured ixedly to the lower portion of the stamp plate 104, is a stamp guiding plate 112, which extends from the roller 109, above the plate 106,to a position one-third the length of plate 106, inwardly from lthe end in the direction of the side plate 101, of the frame kofthe machine. Upon the lower portion of plate 112, is an outwardly extended guiding plate 114, -the end in the direction of the roller 109, being curved upwardly at 113, the lower'surface of said portion 113, being opposite the point of contact of the peripheries of the two stamp guiding rollers 109 and 110, and the space betweenthe lower surface of plate 114, andthe upper surface of plate 106, being Y sufficient to permit the passage of the strips of stamped paper.

The stamp feeding devices consist' of a rectangular flat plate 115, upon the lower surface of which is a sheet of elastic material 116, such as india rubber or other equivi alent substances. With the lower portion of plate'115,rare connected the upper ends of a series of needles orpins 117, the pointed f lower ends of which needles extend thro-ugh the elastic sheet and afslight distance below the line of the lower surface ofsaid elastic f sheet.

.'Wi'th the upper surface of plate 115,upon a line with its rear'or inner edge .is connected ka vertical plate 118, its upper end being curved inthe arc of Aa circle. Upon the upper'surface of plate 115, in a central posii tion outwardly fromplate 118, are the lugs 119, between which lugs is extended one end of a reciprocating bar 120, pivoted thereto at 121.` The outer end of the-bar120, is extended in the directionof the side plate 10 of the frame of the machine to` a point above the guide plate 112. A short distance from a vertical line extending through the curved end portion 113, of said plate, inthe outer end of bar 120 is alongitudinally extendedl opening 122.V

123, indicates a crank shaft which is short y and within the outer end of the reciprocat ing bar 120, is a screw threaded opening 128,

which communicates with theopening 122.

In the said opening 128, is an adjusting screw 129, the inner end of which screw bears against a ring 130, extending loosely around rg0 the crank pin. Upon the outer end of the screwis a head V131. i To the inner surface of the stamp plate 104, a short distance'from the plate 118, of the stamp feeder in the.V

direction of thecrank shaft, is secured by the screw 133, a vertical plate 132, having an outwardly extended lower portion 134, which extends beneath the liney of the lower surface of the reciprocating bar 120. 1n the plate 132, is a vertical slot 135. through which the fastening screw 133, extends. In

the lower portion of the reciprocating bar Y at a point a short distance from 'its pivotal endportion and above the plate 134, when the feeder plate is in its retracted position, is a lnotch 136, slightly wider than said plate 134.

n 137 indicates a depressing bar for the stamp feeder which is rigidly connected theretoat 138, near the longitudinal side ido ies

iio

portion of the stamp plate 11,5, the outer end extending in the direction of the guide roller 110. A'l spring wirek 137 X is secured at one end to the outer surface of the plate `107, which extends along the outer side of the said bar is thence bent inwardly and hooked over the upper surface of the said bar 137.

l For the purpose of controlling theaction of shaft 20, when the envelope to be stamped have passed through the machine upon the portion of shaft 20, extending outwardly from the line of the outer surface o-f the side plate101, is a Vcircular clutch wheelv 141, having a' hub 142, which extends inwardlypast vthe line of the inner surface of side platek 101and is secured to the said shaft by al screw threaded pin 143. In the outer face of the clutch Vwheel is a wide' groove 144, extending diamet'rically through the saidk la i its

isoy

wheel in which groove is a sliding vclutch plate 145, one end of which plate extends normally a short distance past the line of the periphery of said plate and is curved or rounded at 146. In the central portion of the plate 145, is a longitudinalslot 147, through which shaft 20, extends and between which shaft and the end of the Vslot in the direction of the outwardly extended end 146, is a spiral spring 148, one end o-f which spring bears on a sleeve 147x, loosely mounted on the .said shaft and the other end against the said end of the slot. Upon the outer face of t-he circular clutch plate 141, is a circular covering plate 149, secured by screws 149x, to said plate. Upon the other end of the clutch plate 145, from that having the extended rounded end 146, is an outwardly extended plate 150, havingan upwardly extended outer flange 151. The gear `wheel 21 which is loosely mounted on shaft 20 is held thereon by a circular collar 152, secured to the outer end of the shaft 20, by means of a pin 153. Upon the inner side of the gear wheel 21, is a hub 154, and upon said hub is a pin 155, 'extending radially therefrom and to a point in which the outer end of the pin comes into `contact with the plate 150,'on the clutch bar 145.

r156 indicates the self acting clutchv operating brake bar which consists of a strip of Bessemer steel twisted andv secured by the screw 157, to the outer surface of the side 101, of the frame of the machine and a short dista-nce in rear of a vertical line extending through the standard 80, supporting the crank arm 84, and retractive into the position seen on dotted line in Fig. 3. From the i line of end 15S, the brake plate extends forwardly and in a horizontal line to a pointa slight ldistance in rear of the line of the upward extension 19, of the side 10l of the machine and is then bent at right angles Vand a portion 159, is extended upwardly to a portion of the clutch wheel and a short portion 160 extended in the direction of and a slight distance beyond the upper peripheral portion of the said clutch wheel and in the path of rotation of the rounded end 146, of

vthe sliding clutch plate 145, the normal position of said portion of the brake bar. and the portion 160, being seen in solidlinesin Fig. 3. Upon the upper surface of the horizontal portion of the brake bar the inner end of the brake arm 82, on the shaft. 81,I is in frictional contact. A

Extending through the stamp plate 104, upon a vertical line extending past the inner edge of the broad plate 311, ofthe slat 30, adjacent to the side plate 10, ofthe machine, is a` vertical opening 161, extending through thecentral and lower portion thereof.. Upon the forward surface of the stamp plate 104, is a, bracket 162 extending forwardly from the line ofthe upper surface of saidplate Y.

and attached thereto in a position to one side of a vertical line passing through the opening 161. Upon the outer end-of the bracket is a downwardextension163..

The stamp separator and aiiixer consists of a plate `or casting- 164, of considerable thickness, rectangular in form and approximately 'the same width as that of the portion 311, ofthe. slat 30, which extends beneath said plate. |The surface of the plate in the direction of the Vend of the stamp supporting plate 106, is Vin vertical lines and terminates at the line vof the lower surface of the plate in a cutting edge 165. With Vthe upper sur? face of the plated164, is connected integrally an arm 166, which extends forwardly through the opening 161, in the stamp plate at anv angle -to said plate, its outer end extending beneath the lineof shaft 20,l and from thence extended partially around said shaft and rearwardly in the direction of the stamp plate, forming aV U shaped portion 167. This curved or U shaped portion of the arm 166, is pivotally connected at 169, to the adjacent portion and lower end of the downward extension163 of the bracket 162, on the stamp plate 104. Upon the shaft 20, is a heart shaped cam 170, which is fitted within the inner surface of the sides of the U shaped port-ion167, of the arm 166, in such a manner as to impart an upward and downward movement to the stampV affixing plate 164, and afford an interval of time or rest when the limit of movement is reached in vboth upward and downward movements ofthe plate.

In the operation of the machine the en- Q velops tobe stamped are placed collectively i upon the upper surface of the plate 65,. upon 1 the rear ends of the side bars 64, of the reg cipirocating carriage 60, with the adhesive sealing surfaces of the sealing flaps of the envelops positioned downwardly and ex- -point horizontal with the upper periphery.

tended forwardly upon said plate. Water is supplied from the tank 50, to the trough I 46, carrying the roller 47, and also the sponge 54, in the sponge supporting frame 53,'and the free end of the stamp paper 108",

is extended beneath the st-amp feeder plate 115. Power being applied tothe crank arm 90 on the main driving shaft 90 rotation is .imparted thereto, which fmotion isv transmitted through ythe bevel gear wheels 91* and 93, on the respective shafts 90 and 92,` and the bevel gear wheels 96, and 98, in the said shaft 92., andthe crank shaft 97, respectively and a reciprocating movementis im.- parted to the carriage frame 60. During this initialmovement ofv the carriage framethe position ofthe brake plate 156, governing the movement of the rotary shaft 20, and the stamp feeding and aiiixing devices actuated lthereby is as seen in full lines in .Fig 3., The armf82, on the. rock shaft'81,

` from the surface ofthe slats 30, and at the y brake plate, consequently being on the path of the rounded end portion 146,- of the clutch bar145, and moving the portion 160, on the said clutch bar into the position seen in' dotted lines in Fig. 8, and out of line with the pin 155, on the hub 154, of the gear wheel v21, consequently the shaft 20, is inactive while the gear wheel L21, is free to rotate with the gear wheel 91.

The envelops are now fed one at a time from the bottom of the assembled number of envelops, the sealing aps being placed slightly in advance of the upwardly curved portion of the plate 65, carrying the pad 650, and upon reaching said point ,the sealing flap turns downwardly in the direction of the pad 65, from its own tendency to fold and is moved forwardly beneath the gear roller 7 9, in the throat beneath the said roller and the slats 30, the adhesive surfacev of the flap becoming moistened from lthe pad 65, which receives its moisture in passing over themoistening surface 48, of the roller47, in the trough 46. Upon this forwardmovement of the envelop the mois tened flap portion of the envelop is fed beneath the rollers 76, on'the rock shaft 71, and which rollers retain the envelop from movement upon kthe upper surface of the slats 30, during the time a reverse movement is made rearwardly of the reciprocating carriage 60, in which mo-vementthe feed blocks 66, on the reciprocating carriage 60, move beneath and in rear of the envelop and upon the next forwardmovement `of the reciprocating carriage the feed blocks 66, come into contact with the rear longitudinal portion of the envelop. and move the envelop `forward in the direction of the fingers 84, on the rock shaft 81, controlling the brake arm 82, and the rollers 89X, on the rock shaft 86, at the vsame time the upper surface and right hand end portion of the envelop is moved beneath the moistening-sponge 54. Upon reaching the fingers 84,0n the rock shaft 81, the forward portion of the envelop contacts therewith and raises .the fingers upwardly same time moves the end of the brake arm 82, forwardly and upwardly from the hori- Zontal portion of the brake'plate which reof the reciprocating carriage 60, the for-A ward feed'blocks 67 pass beneath and in rear of the envelop and upon the succeeding i forward movement kof the feed blocks' 67, the envelop is moved beneaththe` plate 106,

carrying the strip of stamped paper, the,

right hand moistened end of which envelop is in position upon the upper surface of the broad portion 311, of thefslat 30,;adjacent i 'ment of the reciprocating carriage 60, the

crank arm 99, on the crank shaft 97, which acts to move the carriage forwar'dlyeis yeX- tended rearwardly and is upon fa dead center i in respect to its circle offrotationuthe crank arm 90", upon the main driving shaft 90, being in an upwardly extended vertical position the envelop being engaged by the forward feed blocks 67, as described. Upon the'movement of the crank arm 90", to the right in akhalf circle of rotation-the gear wheel 91 on the main driving shaft 90, moves the gear wheel 21, the same distance imparting rotation in one half of a circle to the crank 126, actuatingv the feedk plate 115, Von the reciprocating carriage 60, and said plate moves in the direction of theplate 31X, on the slat 30, of the bed of the machine, the pins 117 on the feed plate engaging with the free end of the strip of stamppaper which extends thereunder and the said portion of the stamp paper is moved a distance corresponding to the length of a single stamp upon the upper surface of the broad portion 31X, ofthe slat 30, and beneath the stamp. afliXing plate 164, which is in an elevated position as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

ln the forward nposit-ion of the feed plate 115 the reciprocating bar 120 is fulcrumed upon the outward extension 134 of the plate 1.32. In the rearward movement of the bar 120 the downward movement of the crank arm126 depresses the inner end of the bar until the stamp feed plate 115 is raised from and to a position above the stamp paper, and the bar 120 moves backwardly actuated by the crank arm until the notch 136 comes opposite the extension 'orV fulcrum 134, when the feed plate 115 drops 115 from a rocking movement andretains the same in a uniformly'horizontal position, the spring wire 157X keeping said bar pressed upon the plate 115. `The plate 185 may be adjusted to let the feed yplate 115 (when the notch in the bar` approaches the fulcrum 134)` fall heavily. upon 9119.k

leo

stamp paper this adjustment being obviouslydownward. -The cam170, which is holdingthe stamp affiXing plate 164, in an elevated position in the same movement of the crank arm` 90X, passes the upper terminal portion of the U-shaped member 167, of

t-he arm 166, and descends with an accelerated movement asV this action of the cam leaves a'spacebetween the narrow portion of-the camfand the inner surface of said terminal portion of the U shaped member 167, in which movement the stamp aiiixing plate 164, moves downwardly the cutting edge 165, separating the stamp yfrom the strip of stamped paper, the cam now acting upon'the upper surface of the armr166, aiiiXing thereby the stamp to the moistened surface of the envelop,during a slight interval or rest of the stamp aiiixing plate in which the cam acts to compress the stamp upon the envelop. ln the next half circle of rotation of the crank arm 90X, the cam 170,raises the stamp ailixing plate gradually in an upward direction, the envelop feeding carriage in the meantime moving forward and forcing the envelop between thessaling rollers 26, and 29, the former being actuated by the gear wheel 91, which rollers seal the moistened iap and ejects the envelop from the machine. In the neXt quar ter of a circle of rotation of the arm 90X, the said arm comes into an upwardly eX- tendedV vertical position, and the envelop vfeeding' carriage 60 moves rearwardly in position, the cam 170, holding the stamp aiiixing plate 164, elevated in position during the neXt movement of the crank arm 90X, in its half circle of rotation during which time carriage 60, again moves forward bringing forward the envelops in succession to be stamped in like manner as described, of the first envelop. Uponthe passage o f the last envelop to be stamped past the'ingers 84, which are held by the successive envelops in a raised position -these fingers drop upon the slats 30, thus permitting the brake arm 82, to fall and at the time the end 160, of the brake bar is in frictional contact with the clutch wheel 141, to move into a vertical posit-ion and hold the brake' bar from movement so that when the rounded portion 146, of said bar contacts with the portion 160, of said bar the clutch bar moves inwardly compressing the spring 147, and consequently leaving the gear wheel 21, `free to rotate independent of shaft 20. v In order to meet the Vrequirements of a change in length of the stamp and especially in the athxing of labels such as is used with a printed address, the screw 129, in the reciprocated bar 120, may be turned so as to lengthen or shorten the dist-ance between the crank-pin 127, and thecrank shaft 123, increasing or decreasing the lost motion in terasse the stroke necessary for moving the stamped strip beneath the stamp aflixing plate 164. The main driving shaft may be operated by other than manual power when desired and such modifications employed as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, what 'I now claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a stamp aftixing machine for envelops, the combination with a suitable support upon said machine of a rotary shaft, a stamp aiiixing device actuated thereby, a cam on said shaft, an arm on said stamp affixing device having a U shaped portion pivotally connected with the said support within which the said cam is adapted to rotate.

2. In a stamp aflixing machinel for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, aV transverse' vertically positioned supporting plate, connected at its ends with the respective sides of said frame, having a vertical transverse opening therein, aV rotary power shaft journaled at its respective Vends in the sides of said frame adjacent to the forward surface of said supporting plate, means for imparting rotation to said shaft, and a stamp aitiXing plate adjacent to the rear surface of said vertical vsupporting plate, a bracket on the forward surface of said plate adjacent the vertical opening therein, an arm connected with the said stamp aiiixing plate, extending in an upwardly inclined plane through said vertical opening, and having a U shaped terminal portion upon its upper end pivotally connected with said bracket, and a heart shaped cam on the said rotary shaft within the U shaped terminal port-ion of the said arm.

3. In a stamp atlixing machine for envelops the combination with the stamp separating and aflixing device, of a stamp feeder, a reciprocating feeder operating bar, a crank shaft,- an arm o-n said shaft, and a crank pin operating the said bar and con trolling means on said reciprocating bar at one end of the said bar acting to control the movement of the crank pin in said slot.

4. In a stampy aiiixing machine the combination with the Vframe of the machine, and with the vertically operable stamp separating and .atlixing devices, of a transverse vertically positioned plate connectedV at its ends withl the sides of said frame, a horizontal stamp supporting guiding plate for the strip of stamp paper connected with the side of said vertically positioned plate, and ext-ending to a point adjacent the path of movementof the stamp separating and af! fixing devices, a rotary crank shaft extending through said vertically positioned plate, an arm on said shaft, means for operating lsaid shaft, a-nd a bar connected at its inner end with said arm an outwardly extended fulcrum plate `on the vertically positioned plate supporting said bar, a reciprocating stamp feed plate, movable uponn the stamp supporting and guiding plate, connected with the forward end of said bar, andan elastic pad on the lower surface of said stamp feed plate. l

5. In a stamp aiiixing machine the combination with the main frame, a rotary crank shaft mounted upon said frame, a crank on said shaft, a reciprocating feeder plate, a bar pivotally connected with said plate and actuated by said crank and controlling means acting upon the feeder plate to prevent a rocking movement of the said feeder plate.

6. In a Stamp aixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine and the stamp aflixing devices on said frame, of a transverse vertically po-` sitioned plate connected at its ends with the sides of said frame and a horizontal plate supported thereby upon which a strip of stamped material is movable in the direction of the stamp atlixing devices, a rotary crank shaft and arm supported by said vertical plate, a stamp feeding plate, a reciprocating bar pivotally connected at one end with the stamp feeding plate and-at the other end with the crank arm on the crank shaft and a spring controlled bar connected at its forward end with the stamp feeding plate and having its free end movable upon the upper surface of the horizontal plate supporting the stamped material and acting to preserve a normal horizontal position of the stamp feeder plate.

7 In a stamp aflixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine of a transverse vertically positioned plate connected at its ends with the sides of said frame, a horizontal plate upon the rear surface of the said plate supporting the strip of stamped material, a stamp feeding plate movable on the supporting plate for the strip of stamped material, a reciprocating bar pivotally connected with the stamp feeding plate and a guiding bar rigidly connected with the stamp feeding plate, and having its free end movable upon the supporting plate for the stamped material and a spring wire slidingly connected with the said guiding bar, and xedly connected with the supporting plate for the stamped material.

8. In a stamp afxing machine the combination with the frame of the machine and the stamp aflixing devices of a transverse vertically positioned plate connected at its ends with the sides of said frame, a horizontal plate on the rear surface of the said plate supporting the strip of stamp material, a crank shaft extending through the said vertically positioned plate and an arm on said `shaft means for operating the crank `shaft Yand with the arm on the crank shaft at its inner end, an outwardly extended fulcrum plate for said bar on the said vertically positioned plate, said bar having a notch in its lower surface at the limit of its rearw-ard movement.

9. A mechanism for stamp aiiixing machines for envelops, comprising a rotary driven shaft, a gear wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, and a hub on said wheel, a clutch upon said shaft adapted to clutch the hub of said loose wheel, a gravity clutch releasing pivoted brake bar, a rock shaft, iingers on said shaft and a brake arm on said shaft whose free end engages with the upper surface of the brake bar.

10. In a stamp aiiixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine and the main driving shaft of an independent rotary shaft, an envelop feeding reciprocating carriage actuated by the main driving shaft, stamp feeding and stamp aflixing devices, actuated by said independent rotary shaft, a loosely mounted gear wheel on the end of said independent shaft and a fixed gear wheel having a hub on the main power shaft meshing with said loosely mounted gear wheel, a clutch wheel on said independent shaft and a spring actuated clutch bar on said wheel and a clutch plate on the inner end of said bar, a pin on the hub of the loose gear wheel, which wheel the clutch plate is adapted to engage in rotation, a rock shaft mounted on the sides of the said frame and ngers on said shaft, a gravity brake plate pivoted at its inner end to the side of the machine and having a bent portion adapted to move over the surface of the clutch wheel in the path of the clutch bar and a brake arm on the rock shaft adapted to engage with the upper surface of the gravity brake bar and control its movement.

11. In a stamp aflixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of t-he machine and with the main power shaft of a reciprocating stamp feeding carriage actuatedV thereby, an independent rotary shaft upon said frame and a loose gear wheel having a hub mounted on said shaft, stamp afixing devices actuated by the said independent shaft and to which the envelops are moved successively by the stamp feeding carriage, a clutch wheel on said independent shaft and spring actuated clutch bar, a clutch plate on the inner end of the clutch bar and a pin on the hub of said loose gear wheel with which the clutch plate normally engages, a fixed gear wheel on the main driving shaft, meshing with the loose Wheel` onL the independent rotaryshaft', al arm on the outer end of the rook shaft bent brake bar pvoted. at its innen endj tvo.- adapted'to engage Wit-h the upperl surface of 10 the side ofthe main frameland'having its.7 the brake bai' and hold: sindA bar from Outer end in the path of the dutch bar on. 'movement 5 the clutch Wheel, a rook shaft mounted upon FREDERICK` R. S. DITMARS.

the sides,v of said frame and fingers on said; fWtnesses: 'Y shaft adapted to bear upon the upper sur- R. J. HOLMDEN, 'face of the bed of themachine and. e bnake GEORGE W. DAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained forfire eents eeh, by` djdresisirlg;the Commissioner of Patents,

' Waglxington, D.. G. 

